Apparatus for separating sheets of paper or like material.



, F. W. VIGKERY..

APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING SHEETS OF PAPER OR LIKE MATERIAL.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 12, 1909.

Fatented Apr. 26, 1910.

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4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

P. W. VIGKBRY. TUS'FOR SEPARATING SHEETS OF PAPER 08. LIKE MATERIAL.

APIAEA APILIUATION FILED JAILlZ, 1909.

F, W. VIGKERY. v APPARATUS PORSEPfi-RATING SHEETS OF PAPER 0R LIKE MATERIAL.

AP'ELIOATION FILED JAN. 12, 1909.

Patented Apr. 26, 1910.

4 SHBETS-SHBBT 8.

P. W. VIGKERY. APPARATUS FOR. SEPARATING SHEETS OF PAPER OR LIKE MATERIAL.

. APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 12, I009.

Patented M0128, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

EVE/W02 EEEDIERICK WIKLLIAM VICKELELY, Q35 BUSHEY, ENGLAND, ASSIGNGR 10 VICKERYS PATENTS LIMITED, OF LONEGN, EEEQGLAND.

AIPPARATUFS FOE BEPARATINL' SHEETS 01!? YAE'E'JBZ- B LIKE MATERIAL.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr, 26, 1914 Application flied January 12, 1809. Serial No. 471,331.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Ennoneion VVILLTAM VIoKnni', e suhgectof the King of Great Britain and Ireland, and residing at Glen burn, Hillside Road, Bushey, in the county of Hertford, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ap- ,pnratns for Separating Sheets of Paper or Like Material, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for separating sheets of paper, cardboard, and

the like, one by one from a pile, and more particularly to apparatus wherein a nozzle 13 gnonnected with an air suction pump, is moved into contact with the top sheet of the pile so that when the sheet thereby closes the orifice or orifices of the nozzle, the ensuing vacuum Within a. chamber connected with the some pump esthe nozzle causes sharp movements to be imparted to the latter to ,hend the top shcetndhering to it, resulting in separation of this sheet from the second sheet, which letter owing to its elasticity is able to resist the sharp movements,

even against adhesion to the first sheet due to electricity or sticky ink, and consequently drops hack on the pile. To further insure that the second sheet shell not he raised it has been proposed to use inclined blowing nozzles to blow down on to the pile, the power of the blast not-being suflicient to separate the first sheet from the lifting noz zle; Now the apparatus of the ehove mentinned type has failed in practice either by stretching, creasing, breaking or since ring the pp wet, and further such have been operatcd .'"01I). the sides of the pile of paper necdhdtnting nozzle her or tube extending right across the pile, or have otherwise been 0f such :1 nature, that the nozzle has been unable to conform. to the inequalities or nndnlations which usually occur in the surface of thepile, so that proper contact between the nozzle and paper has been prevented.

The object of the present invention is to avoid these dilliculties' and it consists in so e-nrenging the nozzle that when it sharply moved to bend the paper no relative move 'mentoccurs between the surface of the 11ozzlc and the part of the paper in contect with it,,nnd also in independently mounting the nozzle above the pile, so that it is free to oscillate and adapt itself to the inequalities or undulations of the pile. v

The invention also comprises various details hereinafter referred to.

The accompanying drawings illustrate several forms of the invention intended to he used, not onl for separating the, top sheet, but also her carrying forward the sheet so separated to the feeding tapes or other usual feeding devices of a printing or like machine,

Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of one form in the -eised position preparatory" to the'nozzle bilng dropped onto the pile, Fig. 2 hein at side elevation of the same showing in hill lines the apparatus with the nozzle in section and as dropped onto the pile, the dotted lines indicating the eppnrntus in the position occupied when the nozzle has raised and is about to release a sheet. Fig.3 is a detail sectional view, showing the nozzle after it has been sharply moved -to, bend the topsheet. Fig. 4 is a plan pei'tly 'ih section corresponding to Fig. 1. Figs. 5 and Gore side elcvetions'of other forms.

In one 'fOl'ill of the invention a tubular nozzle (4, provided with two or more orifices b, is freely mounted in brackets 0, carried by an arm (Z. At the parts where lhc oi'i lic'es are formed the nozzle is enlarged or has sleeves c, firmly secured to it, the sleeves having orifices f, coinciding with the oriiices.!1, and being of such s. form to in s'ui'e good contzlct with the top sheet of the, pile y, when upon the same as indicated in Fig. 2. L pinion h, is secured to the nozzle (4, and meshes with un intei'niediate pinion i, which meshes with a rack is, formed. on the underside of the mm d. The pinion it, is plain for part of its circumference, {which purl and thesleeves c, are of equal radius to that of the pitch circle of the pinion IL. The arm a, has a rod Z, preferably formed integral with it and supporled in a long bearing 122., east on a. cylinder at. Two co]- lers o, secured to the rod 7/, by set screws 1), prevent longilndimxl movement of the rod in its hearing. but it free to oscillate about its longitudinal axis so as to enable the nozzle to adopt itself to the undulations or unevenness of the pile g. The brackets c, are united at the top by bars, g, which rocking levers ,2, carried by a shaft 2, and

the apparatus is supported at its other end, by a chain 3, attached to the arm cl, and to a rotary shaft 4. A branch 5, on the nozzle a, is connected by a flexible tube 6, to a suitable conduit leading to a vacuum pump or fan, a similar tube 7, also connecting the cylinder n, to the same conduit.

The area of the orifices f and of the piston to, are in such relation that immediately the orifices are closed the ensuing vacuum in the cylinder is "sullicient to enable the atmospheric pressure on the outside of the piston to force in the latter, but innuediately the orifices are opened again the spring :2, is able to return the piston to its normal position. Thus assuming that the apparatus has dropped from the position indicated in Fig. 1, to that indicated in Fig; 2, due to a rotation of the shaft 4, and that the orifices f, are closed by the to sheet, the piston to, is forced into its cylinder n, and draws back with it the brackets c, relatively tothe arm (Z. The pinion 2", is thereupon rotated by the rack is, and rotating the pinion 71., sharply rotates the nozzle a, which bends back the top sheet as indicatedin Fig. 8. As the plain part of the pinion h, and the sleeves a, are of the same radius as that of the pitch circle of the pinion It,

there isno relative motion between the surfaces of the sleeves c in contact withthe paper and the latter, that is the peripheral speed of the sleeves is equal to that which ,would result if they were merely rolled on the paper, so that there is no rubbing or frictional contact, and creasing, breahing and smearing are avoided. After the noz zle'lias bent the top sheet in the manner described, the shaft t winds up the chain 3,

and the shaft Brooks the levers 2, forward so that the top sheet is carried forward to the tapes or other usual feeding devices. As this forward motion is nearing completion the vacuum is destroyed by any suit able means so that the spring 01:, returns the piston w, and therefore the nozzle (1, to the positions indicatedin dotted lines in Fig. 2

and the sheet is released by the nozzle in an nnbent. condition. The apparatus is then moved back to the position indicated in 1 and the operation is repeated.

In another form the nozzle is given the requisite rotary movement by means of a crank 8 Fig. 5, which is *conriected by a link 9 to the lower ends of a. pair of levers l0, pivoted at their upper ends 12, to a bracket 13, secured to the-arm (ZJ The levers'lO have slots l l, through which pass pins 15 carried by the piston 'w, and to ried partly by a pair of links 18 pivoted to a roclring lever z, and partly by a chain 3, which lever and chain perform the same functions as the corresponding parts referred to in the modifications previously described. The casing 17 has a flexible connection 19 leading to the vacuum pump; a spring or, maintaining the nozzle (1, in the outer position so long as there is insufficient vacuum to draw it in. When however the nozzle (1, is dropp' ed onto the top of the pile g, and the orifice f, is closed, the nozzle is drawn intothe casing 17, as indicated in dotted lines, and bends the top sheet. The

curvatureot' the nozzle is struck from a cenj.

ter line situated in the plane of the to sheet when the nozzle is in Contact with t e lat ter so that the top sheet is bent about-this center line and no relative movement orrubbing contact between the paper and noz'- zle occurs.

F rom the above description it will be evident that the invention comprises mechzui ism capable of bending or giving a sharp movement to the paper or like material,'-

such mechanism beingselficontainedand capable of having independent bearing upon the pile, operating without putting strain, pressure or friction upon the papen ancl re- Cqiuiring g one nozzle only, which .can be ropped upon the pilev at any. desired position withoutany reference to mechanism outside the sides of the pile of paper.

Hav ng now described my invention what.

I claim-as new. and desire to seeureby 'Letters Patent is 1. Apparatus for successively. separating sheets of paper or like material from a pile,

comprising a suction nozzle having-orifices I and adapted to be moved'ont o thepile with theorifices adjacent to the top sheetthere. of for the-purpose o;f 'att'aching said sheet, means for moving the nozzle so as to-ben'd the top sheet adhering. to it,..the nozzle bein of such a form that when so moved no re ative movement occurs between the s'urface of the nozzle, and the part of the sheet in contact with it, and-means for support- .snd adapted to be moved onto the sneeze .ing the nozzle adapted to permit universal movement thereof relatively to said support means for moving the nozzle so as to bend the top sheet adhering to it, the nozzle being of such a form that when so moved no relative movement; occurs between the surface of the. nozzle and the part of the sheet in contact with it, means for supporting the,

nozzle adapted to perniit universal movement thereof relatively to said support and the pile, and means for raising the nozzle withthe sheet adhering to it.

Apparatus forsuccessively separating sheets of paper or like material from a, pile, comprising a suction nozzle having orilines and adapted to be moved onto the pile with the orifices adpcent to the top sheet thereof for the purpose of attracting said sheet means moving," the nozzle so as to bend the top sheet, adhering to it, the nozzle being or" such a form that'when so moved no relative movement occurs between the surface of the nozzle and the err r the sheet in contact with it, means or supporting the nozzle adapted to ermit universal movement. thereof relative y to said support and the pile, and means for raising and moving forward the nozzle with the sheet adhering to it.

4. Ap aratusjor successively separatingsheets or paper or like ms'tprial from a pile, comprising u suction nozzle having orifices the orifices adjacent to the top she t thereof for the purpose of attrscting said sheet means for importing a rotary movement to the nozzle, said means and the nozzle being of such form that no relative movement occurs between the psper and the surface of the nozzle in contact with 1t and means for supporting the nozzle adopted to permit universe movement thereof relatively to said support and the pile.

5. flltppurn'ius for successively separating sheets of pnper or like msterial from a pile, coinorising u tnbulsr nozzle Emving orifices, brackets for curryin said nozzle, an arm supporting said brackets adopted to permit relative movement between them and the arm, a rod on the arm, a vacuum cylinder, a. bearing thereon for the said rod permitting rotstion' thereof, a piston in the cylinder, and means intermet isle of said piston and the nozzle for imparting a rotary and u rearward movement to the latter on inward pile for the purpose hercinbelore pile with movement of the piston. for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.

(5. Apparatus for successively separating sheets of paper or like-material from a pile,

comprising tubular suction nozzle having orifices, brackets for carrying said nozzle, on arm for supporting said brackets permitting reciprocatorymovements of the latter, a rod on the arm, a vacuum cylinder, a bearing on the cylinder for said rod, permitting rotution thereof, a piston and a spring in the cylinder, means for connecting the aforesaid brackets to the piston and means for imparting rotary motion to the nozzle on reciprocations of said brackets by the piston, for the purpose hereinhefore set forth.

7. Apparatus for successively separating sheets of paper or like materiolvfrom a pile, comprising a tubular suction nozzle having orifices, means for supporting said nozzle permitting universal movement thereof, a

vacuum cylinderv fitted with a piston, and means intermediate of said piston and nozzle for imparting rotary and reciprocatory movements to said nozzle on reciprocations of the piston, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth. l

- 8. Ap aratus .for successively separating sheets or paper or like material from a pile, comprising a tubular suction nozzle having orifices, means for supporting said nozzle permitting universal movementthereof, a vacuum cyllnder fitted w th a piston means intermediate of said-piston and nozzle for mparting rotary and reciprocat ory movements to saidnozzle on reciprocations of the piston, a pair oflevers to which said cylinder is pivoted a rock shaft for supporting said levers andmeans for raising and lowering the aforesaid nozzle, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore setforth} 9. Ap aratus {or successively separating sheets 0 paper or like material from a pile, comprising a suction. nozzl having orifices, brackets tor supporting aid nozzle, burs connecting, said brackets, :ln arm having,- n shit for receiving said bars, a vacuum cylindor, a piston and a spring therein, links connecting the'piston and the brackets, arod on the arm, cheering for the some on the cylinder permitting rotation of said rod, rack teeth on the arm, a pinion on the aforesaid. nozzle, niid an intermediate pinion meshing therewith and with the'ssid rack teeth, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth. 7

10. Apparatus for successively separating sheets of paper or like material from a pile, comprising a suction nozzle halving orifices, brackets for supporting said nozzle, burs connecting ,saidbrackets, an arm having; u slot for receivin v said bars, at vacuum cylinder, a piston en a spring therein, links conmating the pisiun and the brackets, a rod on inder is pivoted andu rock shaft supporting '10 the arm, a bearing for the same on the cylin- I said levers, substantially as and for the purder permitting rotation of said md, rack pose hcreinbefore set forth teeth on the arm, a phxion 0n the aforesaid In testimony Whelof, I aifix my signature. nozzle, an intermediate pinion meshing in presence of two Witnesses. therewih and with th said rack teeth, a I FREDERICK WILLIAM VIUKERY. shaft, 2 chain attached atone end thrto Witnesses: and at the nther and to the aiorsssid arm, I H. D. 'JAMEBON, a pair of leverstowhich the aforesaid cyL-l I A. NUTTING. 

